BRIEFS

FLW inks

Canada partnership

MINNEAPOLIS — Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) recently announced an exclusive licensing agreement with the Canadian Pro Bass Tour to assume operation of FLW Canada bass tournaments.

The agreement was signed by FLW President of Operations Kathy Fennel and Andrew Pallotta, president of the Canadian Pro Bass Tour.

“Canadian bass anglers are among the best in the world and they deserve world-class events in which to showcase their talent,” Fennel said. “We are excited to announce Andrew Pallotta as our new partner in Canada. We are confident that his extensive background in tournaments and sport shows will further elevate the status of FLW Canada tournaments and provide a promotional platform befitting such a talented group of anglers.”

FLW Canada will continue to advance two pros and two co-anglers annually to the International Division at the Costa FLW Series Championship, where they will compete against anglers from China, Korea, Mexico and South Africa.

The highest finisher in the International Division at the FLW Series Championship will advance to the Forrest Wood Cup, where the minimum payout is $10,000. The winner of the Forrest Wood Cup will receive $300,000.

International Division anglers also compete for FLW Series Championship payouts of up to $95,000, including a Ranger Z518C boat, in the pro division and $32,000, including a Ranger Z175 boat in the co-angler division.

“Our goal is to provide professionally run tournaments that welcome all anglers and provide Canadian citizens with opportunities for advancement that they cannot receive anywhere else,” Pallotta said. “We will start with one major event, the FLW Canada Cup, and grow from there with a focus on providing highly competitive and enjoyable tournaments for the largest number of anglers possible.”

Georgia record catfish

WAYCROSS, Ga.— Richard Barrett of Axson, Ga., recently broke the Georgia record for blue catfish with a 93-pounder he caught on the Altamaha River.

Barrett’s catch beat the previous record by more than 12 pounds.

Barrett caught the fish using a live channel catfish that he caught earlier in the day as bait.

Barrett told the department’s Wildlife Resources Division he was shocked when he got the fish to the surface. He said he was worried he wouldn’t be able to get it into his boat.

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